Claim OwnershipThe Culture Show Podcast
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A Boston-based podcast that thrives in how we live. What we like to see, watch, taste, hear, feel and talk about. It’s an expansive look at our society through art, culture and entertainment. It’s a conversation about the seminal moments and sizable shocks that are driving the daily discourse. We’ll amplify local creatives and explore the homegrown arts and culture landscape and tap into the big talent that tours Boston along the way.
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Today Culture Show co-hosts Jared Bowen, Callie Crossley and Edgar B. Herwick III drive our arts and culture week-in-review.First up, Taylor Swift dropped her new album at midnight. “Life of a Showgirl” blends spectacle with storytelling, marking –and marketing–another milestone in her reign over pop culture.From there, Bad Bunny is headlining the Super Bowl halftime show, a career touchdown that also amplifies Latin music on the world’s biggest stage. While fans cheer the, MAGA critics are calling it a cultural mismatch.Plus Jane Fonda is resurrecting the Committee for the First Amendment, a Hollywood group her father once joined during the McCarthy era. With new battles over censorship raging, she says the fight to defend free expression is as urgent as ever.Finally we remember Jane Goodall, the trailblazing primatologist, has died at 91. Her groundbreaking work with chimpanzees transformed our understanding of animal intelligence and deepened our sense of responsibility toward the natural world.
Celebrated writer Walter Mosley joins The Culture Show to talk about his latest book in his Easy Rawlins series, “Gray Dawn: An Easy Rawlins Mystery.” Easy has led readers through Los Angeles — from the 1940s to the turbulent 1970s — with stories that combine the pace of classic crime fiction and the depth of literary character. In “Gray Dawn” a search for a missing woman drags Easy back into secrets from his past. Tonight you can catch Walter Mosley at Harvard Book Store at 7:00. To learn more go here.From there we enter the moonlit world of “Viola’s Room.” The immersive experience, which is at The Shed in New York City through November 16th. Created by Punchdrunk, a pioneer in immersive theatrical experiences, we talk to founder and artistic director, Felix Barrett. To learn more about “Viola’s Room” go here.Finally, Oliver Jeffers—author-illustrator and studio artist – joins The Culture Show. His picture books live on nightstands worldwide; his portraits and projects test what we remember and what we miss. Now with a solo exhibition at Praise Shadows Art Gallery he joins us to talk about how he thinks about story, image, and time. “Dipped Paintings: Oliver Jeffers” is on view through November 8th. To learn more go here.
Jared Bowen, Callie Crossley, and Edgar B. Herwick III host our inaugural Wednesday Watch Party with a comedy classic: Eddie Murphy’s Coming to America. The 1988 hit follows a prince who trades royal privilege for a crash course in Queens. At the time critics were divided, audiences were not. It was a box office smash at the time, now we ask you, nearly 40 years later, does it hold up. From there Mahesh Daas, president of Boston Architectural College, joins The Culture Show for his monthly appearance. Today he’s discussing the best way to power AI: geothermal power. Boston Architectural College pioneered this over a decade ago with eight wells under their Green Alley. Mahesh Daas is the author of four books including Towards A Robotic Architecture and I, Nobot, a graphic novella exploring relationships among artificial intelligence, robotics, and cities.
We continue our Countdown to 2026 series with Andrea Puccio, Director of the Library at The Clark Art Institute. She gave us an overview of their new exhibition “Back Bay to the Berkshires: Celebrating 250 Years of Art in Massachusetts.” Russell Lord, Chief of Curatorial Affairs at the Norman Rockwell Museum, also joined us with a preview of their upcoming exhibition “Visions of a Nation: 250 Years from Revolution to Rockwell.”From there we looked at how Netflix’s “K-Pop Demon Hunters” has become the streamer’s most-watched film ever, showing the global pull of Korean pop culture. Ray Seol, Associate Professor of Professional Music at Berklee College of Music, helps us unpack how the movie builds on K-Pop’s history and what it reveals about Korean culture today.Finally, Henri Matisse. He’s known for paintings of light and joy, but his wartime years tell another story. Historian Christopher C. Gorham joins us to discuss his new book Matisse at War, which explores how the artist endured Nazi occupation, family hardship, and illness — transforming adversity into some of his boldest work. Tonight you can catch Christopher C. Gorham at Harvard Book Store at 7:00. To learn more go here.
Pulitzer Prize–winning author Stephen Greenblatt joins The Culture Show, to talk about his latest book, “Dark Renaissance: The Dangerous Times and Fatal Genius of Shakespeare’s Greatest Rival.” It traces the meteoric rise and violent end of Christopher Marlowe—playwright, poet, spy, and heretic—whose genius endures today. Stephen Greenblatt is the John Cogan University Professor of the Humanities at Harvard University.From there Courtney O’Connor, Producing Artistic Director for Lyric Stage Boston, gives us an overview of their production of “Our Town,” which is onstage through October 19th. To learn more go here.Finally dating coach Caitlyn Hana joins us to talk about her approach to helping people meet the right match. Her aim is to help smart, quirky people find love in Boston, the Bay Area, and New York. She runs Enchanted Analytics. To learn more go here.
Culture show co-hosts Jared Bowen, Callie Crossley and Edgar B. Herwick III go over the latest headlines on our arts and culture week-in-review. First up: Jimmy Kimmel is back on late night. After ABC pulled his show, he returned with a monologue defending satire and drawing his biggest audience in years.From there, Apple TV+ has postponed “The Savant,” Jessica Chastain’s thriller about infiltrating extremist circles. While Apple cites political tensions, Chastain says the show’s urgent themes need to be heard.Plus, Bad Bunny wrapped a historic 31-show residency in Puerto Rico with a finale streamed worldwide. His run was both a love letter to the island and a global cultural moment.Finally, food critic Marilyn Hagerty, whose glowing Olive Garden review went viral in 2012, has died. She spent decades championing small-town diners, truck stops, and chain restaurants.
Acclaimed filmmaker Simon Curtis joins The Culture Show to talk about directing “Downton Abbey:The Grand Finale.” To learn more go here.Boston comedian Tony V has collaborated with renowned musicians on “Rock Bottom: The Musical,” which debuts tonight as part of National Recovery Month. To learn more go here.McGonagle’s Pub has landed a spot on “The New York Times” list of America’s best restaurants, making it the first Irish pub to get this national recognition. Chef Aidan McGee joins The Culture Show to talk about how he is reimagining pub fare. Aidan McGee is the chef patron of The Dubliner and McGonagle's Pub.
Joyce Kulhawik joins the Culture Show with Balancing Acts, a look at the latest plays in the area with a focus on what to prioritize amid an abundance of productions. Joyce Kulhawik is an Emmy-award winning arts and entertainment reporter, president of the Boston Theatre Critics Association and you can find her reviews on joyceschoices.comFrom there we get a preview of Club Passim’s “Reimagining Lilith Fair.” The event celebrates women, queer, and gender expansive artists in the Greater Boston music scene, highlighting the next wave of feminism and the wide breadth of talent in our city. Created and curated by Naomi Westwater, they join us along with participating artist, Amanda Shea. Reimagining Lilith Fair is Saturday, September 27th. To learn more go here.Finally, Culture Show contributor Julia Swanson takes on a virtual tour of Nubian Square where the public art is created for the community.. Julia Swanson is a multidisciplinary artist and award winning photographer who is the creator of The Art Walk Project – a series of self-guided micro tours of art across Greater Boston.
Actor Barry Bostwick joins The Culture Show ahead of the “Rocky Horror Picture Show 50th Anniversary Spectacular” at Emerson Colonial Theatre. The celebration includes the unedited film, a live shadow cast, audience participation, a costume contest, and VIP meet-and-greets— it’s the full midnight-movie experience. The event is on Wednesday, October 1st. To learn more go here.From there Susanne Simpson, Executive Producer of “MASTERPIECE” reflects on the legacy of “Downton Abbey” and she previews what’s next – from the costume drama “The Forsytes,” to the crime drama “The Gold,” and the return of fan favorites such as “All Creatures Great and Small.” To keep on top of all of MASTERPIECE’s programming go here.Finally, Jeremy Sewall, Chef and Owner of Row 34, shares recipes and stories from his new cookbook “Everyday Chef: Simple Dishes for Family and Friends,” which illustrates how restaurant expertise can translate into simple, satisfying meals at home.
Boston’s dining scene just scored a national spotlight: “The New York Times” has named La Padrona one of the best restaurants in America. The Back Bay restaurant is the vision of Eric Papachristos and chef Jody Adams. Eric Papachristos joins The Culture Show to talk about this recognition and the state of Boston’s restaurant scene; he’s a co-founder and CEO of A Street Hospitality Group.From there Film takes center stage with CineFest Latino Boston, running September 24–28 at venues across the city. The annual festival celebrates films by and about Latinos, showcasing stories that span countries, cultures, and genres. Sabrina Avilés, an independent filmmaker and the festival’s founder and executive director, joins us for a sneak preview. To learn more go here.Finally, Dawn M. Simmons, Artistic Director of SpeakEasy Stage joins The Culture Show to talk about the Pulitzer Prize–winning play “Primary Trust.” Written by Eboni Booth, it follows Kenneth, a man bound by years of routine, whose life opens up –for the better–in the face of an abrupt change. Staging. “Primary Trust’ is on through October 11th. To learn more go here.
Today Jared Bowen, Callie Crossley and Edgar B. Herwick III host our arts and culture week-in-review.First up, Late-night just got quieter. ABC has yanked Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely after the host’s remarks about Charlie Kirk’s assassination sparked outrage from conservatives and the FCC.From there, after nearly 50 years, Jerry Greenfield is leaving Ben & Jerry’s, saying their parent company is silencing their social activism, despite promises to let them remain independentAnd we remember Robert Redford, the star, the storyteller, and the visionary who reframed American cinema.Finally, Somerville crowned Minerva, a black feline with a one-word platform—“Crime”—as its Bike Path Mayor.
For more than a quarter century, Richard Smith embodied Henry David Thoreau—donning the waistcoat and straw hat, walking the paths of Concord, and giving voice to one of New England’s most enduring thinkers. Now, after 26 years of living deliberately in another man’s shoes, Smith is stepping away from the role. Closing a chapter that made Thoreau’s world vividly real for thousands who visited Walden Pond.From there, If you think carving a pumpkin takes skill, imagine shaping one in glass heated to nearly 2,000 degrees. At MIT’s Glass Lab—a place where art meets science—students, faculty, and alumni practice the craft of glassblowing. It’s one of the only university studios of its kind. And each fall, the fruits of their labor gleam on the campus lawn in what is known as the Great Glass Pumpkin Patch, taking place September 27th at MIT's Kresge Oval. To learn more, go here.And, Chris Vognar, the Boston Globe’s new TV and pop culture critic is here. He’ll give us a preview of what to watch on the small screen this month, from the chilling sci-fi of Alien: Earth to the Jude Law-Jason Bateman brotherly bond in Black Rabbit. To read Chris' reviews, go here.
We continue our Countdown to 2026 series with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Each month we look at artworks that shed new light on the American Revolution and the people who shaped it. Today Layla Bermeo joins us to talk about Miguel de Herrera’s Portrait of Doña Feliciana Belendes y Ramirez. Layla Bermeo is the Kristin and Roger Servison Curator of Paintings, Art of the Americas.Singer-songwriter Will Dailey also joins us to talk about his latest album, Boys Talking and his $10 Song project, an experiment connecting fans directly to the music. You can catch him live this Saturday, September 20th, at 8:00 PM at Meadow Hall at Groton Hill Music Center. To learn more go here.And Somerville stirs up one of its sweetest celebrations—the annual “What the Fluff?” Festival. On Saturday, September 20th from 2:00 to 6:00 PM, Union Square fills with music, games, and marshmallow mayhem in honor of the hometown invention that made the fluffernutter a legend. Jessica Eshleman, Executive Director of Union Square Main Streets, joins us for an overview. To learn more go here.
Award-winning singer-songwriter Mary Gauthier joins The Culture Show ahead of her concert at The First Church in Belmont with special guest Jaimee Harris. Rooted in folk and country traditions, Gauthier has built a career on transforming hard experiences into songs that connect and heal. To learn more about this Friday’s concert go here.At Emerson College comedy is no laughing matter. Decades before it launched the nation’s first comedy degree, Emerson was sending performers like Jennifer Coolidge and Jay Leno into the spotlight. Now the school is reviving its American Comedy Archives, with candid new interviews featuring Bill Burr, Paula Poundstone, and others. Comedian and Emerson alum Eddie Brill, who lead these conversations, joins us for an overview. To explore the archives go here.Finally MassArt President Mary Grant joins us for her monthly appearance. Today she reflects on freedom of speech on college campuses.
First up, we recap the 2025 Emmy Awards with Callie Crossley, Culture Show co-host and host of Under the Radar with Callie Crossley and Culture Show contributor Joyce Kulhawik, Emmy Award–winning arts and entertainment critic and President of the Boston Theater Critics Association. You can find her reviews at Joyce’s Choices.At Boston’s historic King’s Chapel, a new Living Memorial is taking shape to honor the lives of 219 enslaved people once tied to the church. We’re joined by Harmonia Rosales, visual artist and creator of Unbound, and Rev. Joy Fallon, Senior Minister at King’s Chapel.Finally, Jane Eaglen joins us for her take on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Phantom of the Opera.” Jane Eaglen is a Grammy Award–winning soprano, faculty member at New England Conservatory and President of the Boston Wagner Society, explores if there are any traces of traditional opera in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera.
Today Jared Bowen, Callie Crossley and Edgar B. Herwick III go over the latest headlines on The Culture Show’s week-in-review.First up: Our local culinary scene. It’s having a moment; in its list of America’s 50 Best restaurants, The New York Times names five from New England. The list includes the upscale Italian fare at La Padrona in Boston’s Raffles Hotel and the modern twist on Irish pub food at McGonagle’s in Dorchester.From there, Banksy strikes again. The artist unveiled a new mural at the Royal Courts of Justice building in London, 48 hours after its discovery, it was removed. The irony: The mural was a commentary on the suppression of freedom of speech.Finally, we remember actress Polly Holliday who was best known as the wisecracking waitress Flo on the 1970s sitcom Alice. She died this week at age 88.
Award-winning actor, director, singer-songwriter and bestselling author David Duchovny joins The Culture Show to discuss “About Time: Poems,” a collection that reflects on love, family, aging, and the shifting nature of time. From there Robin Dawson, Executive Director of Boston Film Festival previews the 41st season, which kicks off on September 18th. To learn more go here.Finally Obie Award-winning playwright Kirsten Greenidge joins The Culture Show to discuss “The Kittie Knox Plays.” Presented by Plays in Place in collaboration with MassBike, the series kicks off on September 13th. To learn more about performance times and venues go here.
Joyce Kulhawik joins The Culture Show for our recurring feature, Stage and Screen Time–a look at the latest movies and plays in theaters now. Joyce Kulhawik is an Emmy-award winning arts and entertainment reporter and president of the Boston Theatre Critics Association. You can find her reviews on Joyce’s Choices.From there Maurice Emmanuel Parent joins us for a preview of Katori Hall’s Olivier Award-winning play “The Mountaintop. It reimagines events on the night before Dr.Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination. While a fictional take on events, Hall creates a humanizing glimpse into the civil rights leader’s final hours, The Front Porch Arts Collective is opening its 2025/2026 season with this work. It’s directed by Maurice Emmanuel Parent who is also the Porch's co-founder and Producing Artistic Director. To learn more go here.Finally internationally acclaimed artist Victor “Marka27” Quiñonez joins The Culture Show for an overview of his solo exhibition at Boston University At Galleries, Ni de Aquí, Ni de Allá (Not From Here, Not From There).The works on view include over a dozen original paintings that combine acrylic, oil, and custom textiles, with embellishments painted directly onto the gallery walls extending the artwork beyond the frame and into the space itself. The exhibition is on view through December 10. To learn more go here.
Imari Paris Jeffries, President and CEO of Embrace Boston, joins The Culture Show to preview this Saturday’s Embrace Massó "¡Con Salsa!” International Music Festival. It’s a celebration of music, culture, and social justice. To learn more go here.From there Molly Schwartzburg joins The Culture Show for an overview of a new exhibition “Edward Gorey: The Gloomy Gallery. It’s on view at Harvard’s Houghton Library through January 12th. Molly Schwartzburg is the Philip Hofer Curator of Printing and Graphic Arts. She co-curated this exhibition with Maggie Erwin. To learn more go here.Finally writer Nicholas Boggs joins The Culture Show to talk about his book, “Baldwin: A Love Story.” It's the first major biography of James Baldwin in three decades, revealing how the writer’s personal relationships shaped his life and work. Tonight Nicholas Baldwin will be at Harvard Book Store. To learn more go here.
Writer Ben Shattuck’s award-winning story “The History of Sound,” is now a feature length film. Set in World War I, it follows two young men who set out into the woods of Maine to collect folk songs before they vanish. The film is a love story, a time capsule, and a meditation on who gets remembered and how. He joins The Culture Show to talk about adapting his short story to the Silver Screen. “The History of Sound’s” theatrical release in the U.S. is September 12th. To learn more go here.From there writer David Baron joins The Culture Show to talk about his new book The Martians: The True Story of an Alien Craze that Captured Turn-of-the-Century America. David Baron is an award-winning journalist and author who writes about science, nature, and the American West. While writing “THE MARTIANS,” David Baron served as the Baruch S. Blumberg NASA/Library of Congress Chair in Astrobiology, Exploration, and Scientific Innovation.Finally, we get a jump on Mexican Independence Day with Veronica Robles. She and her all-female Mariachi band will perform this Sunday at The Charles Hotel Lower Courtyard in Harvard Square. The celebrations start at 4:00. To learn more go here. Veronica Robles is Mariachi singer, musician and Latin American folkloric dancer and choreographer. She is also the co-founder and Director of the Veronica Robles Cultural Center in East Boston.
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